Cooks, Fast Food salary in Columbus, OH
Cooks, Fast Food in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $25,290 a year ($12.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,210 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,060 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $30,890. Pay here is 6% lower than the Ohio statewide median of $26,870. There are 2.0 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.48). The average (mean) salary is $28,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,070 | $11.09 |
| 25th percentile | $23,330 | $11.22 |
| Median | $25,290 | $12.16 |
| 75th percentile | $33,540 | $16.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| Average (mean) | $28,260 | $13.59 |
Half of cooks, fast food earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,107.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,053.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $972.69 |
| Weekly | $486.35 |
| Hourly | $12.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $25,290 salary, see how much house you can afford in Ohio at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | $29,120 | n/a |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $28,930 | 4,930 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $26,950 | 580 |
| Mansfield, OH | $26,360 | 180 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $26,300 | n/a |
| Akron, OH | $26,270 | 960 |
| Lima, OH | $26,210 | 140 |
| Springfield, OH | $25,980 | 180 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $23,710 | 450 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $23,110 | 810 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $22,610 | 3,070 |
| Toledo, OH | $22,560 | 850 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, fast food
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $48,120 |
| District of Columbia | $44,670 |
| California | $42,050 |
| Washington | $39,120 |
| New Hampshire | $38,590 |
| Vermont | $38,230 |
| Oregon | $37,880 |
| Massachusetts | $37,870 |
| Colorado | $36,900 |
| Maine | $36,350 |
See Cooks, Fast Food pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,590 | $17.59 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,100 | $18.32 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,930 | $17.75 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $35,200 | $16.92 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $28,670 | $13.78 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $37,490 | $18.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Bartender | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,650 | $13.29 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,000 | $14.42 |
| Dishwasher | $33,690 | $16.20 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $32,250 | $15.50 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $27,080 | $13.02 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $59,830 | $28.77 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, fast food make in Columbus, OH?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in the Columbus, OH metro area is $25,290 a year, or $12.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $36,060 a year. The top 25% earn $33,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,070 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $23,330 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Columbus, OH?
About 2,210 cooks, fast food are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.